Unbeknownst to me, the Taiko no Tatsujin series has been a staple in rhythm game culture for over two decades. It originated in arcades and steadily expanded into consoles. The franchise is best known for its rhythmic drumming mechanics and quirky soundtrack choices. While it retains the series’ core strengths, it also has some notable shortcomings that prevent it from being a truly standout title in the rhythm game genre.
The gameplay revolves around using either the face buttons on the controller or, for a more fun experience, the Taiko Drum Controller—which I sadly did not get to try out—to hit notes as they come across the screen in time with the music. Notes appear on the screen in various circle sizes and colours, which are represented by the lower and upper face buttons.
The gameplay is simple to understand, but its challenge lies in the precision required to hit the right notes at the right time. The rhythm tracks are well-designed, and the game provides solid... Read more